Georgia Latino International Film Festival 2025

GALIFF Rules and Policies: Georgia Latino International Film Festival Criteria

Submission Guidelines

Any film submitted without a trailer, posters, overview, director’s bio, statement, social media, website, and images will not be confirmed.

Films must include a trailer and at least one promotional poster as part of the submission package. Trailers and posters are required for all categories and must meet technical standards.

Films must adhere to all technical requirements outlined below to be eligible for screening.

Attendance Policy

The Georgia Latino International Film Festival (GALIFF) is the premier event for showcasing and celebrating Latino cinema in Georgia. To ensure the success of the festival and support the filmmakers, the following attendance policies apply:

Mandatory Attendance: At least three representatives of the selected film (e.g., director, producer, actor) must attend the festival and be present at the screening of their film. This is a mandatory condition for screening your film at GALIFF.

Films will not be screened if representatives are unable to attend, even if officially selected. Due to the tight schedule and limited screening slots, priority will be given to filmmakers who can attend.

Attendance provides valuable opportunities for networking, audience engagement, and supporting the Latino film community.

Submission Formats

All films and projects must be submitted through FilmFreeway. It is the submitter’s responsibility to ensure that their online entry contains correct information and is properly submitted. Films not submitted through FilmFreeway will not be considered. Only one film per entry form. Multiple entries on one application will not be considered.

GALIFF will only accept submissions via Vimeo web link. If the submitted video is password protected, the password must be included and must not be changed for the duration of the decision-making process. Non-English language films must have English language subtitles at the time of submission.

→ If selected, films must be available for projection in DCP and digital file.

Expense Policy: GALIFF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not cover expenses, travel, or any form of per diem for filmmakers attending the festival.

Submission Requirements

All film submissions must include a trailer, at least one promotional poster, director’s bio and statement, and credits.

Entries must be written, directed, produced, and/or principally acted by Latinos.

Multiple entries are allowed, but each entry must have separate submission forms, fees, and materials.

Films must have been completed within the past two years.

Spanish or Caribbean language films must include English subtitles.

Online submissions must include:

A signed entry form

Submission fee

Publicity photo

A 250-word synopsis of the film

Signing the entry form certifies the filmmaker’s ownership of the submitted work and all necessary rights for public screening. The filmmaker is responsible for legal clearances, including talent, music, or stock footage. The submitted film must not be subject to or threatened by litigation.

Technical Requirements

Submissions must be delivered on labeled flash drives or Digital Cinema Package (DCP) formatted to meet the requirements of the cinema hosting GALIFF.

Label flash drives or DCPs with the title, running time, director’s name, phone number, and email address.

Use WeTransfer or Google Drive for digital transfers if necessary.

Promotional Use

By submitting your film, you grant permission for GALIFF and the Georgia Latino Film Alliance to use trailers, clips, posters, or stills of your entry for promotional purposes (including but not limited to television, web, GALFA, and GALIFF presentations).

Filmmaker Promotion

Mandatory Promotion: Filmmakers must actively promote the festival and their films using GALIFF-provided materials.

Ticket Sales Requirement: Filmmakers are responsible for selling tickets to the screening of their films. GALIFF will provide tools and resources to assist with this process.

Consulate and Media Engagement: Filmmakers are required to contact and engage local consulates and media outlets to promote GALIFF and their films. GALIFF will provide a list of suggested contacts and guidelines for outreach.

Audience Choice Award

The Audience Choice Award will be determined based on ticket sales and audience engagement for each film. Filmmakers are encouraged to actively promote their screenings to maximize audience attendance and participation.

Premiere Encouragement

While there is no premiere requirement, GALIFF encourages at least a Georgia premiere for selected films. A press kit is required upon acceptance, along with a color production photo or title.

Festival Responsibilities

GALIFF is not responsible for damage or loss of submitted materials during shipping. The sender is responsible for all shipping costs, including customs and delivery fees. Receipt of submissions will be acknowledged via email.

Notifications

Accepted artists will be notified by the last week of September. All Access passes will be provided to designated representatives of the selected entry. Master Classes and selected other events are not included.
Additional Criteria for Qualification or Disqualification for GALIFF:

Language Requirements:

Films must have English subtitles if the primary language is neither English nor Spanish. Submissions in Spanish are strongly encouraged to reflect and celebrate the Latino culture, but English subtitles are required to ensure accessibility for all audiences.
Submission Completeness:

Incomplete submissions, missing required materials (e.g., press kits, promotional stills, director's statement), or late entries will not be considered for selection.
Technical Quality:

Films with technical issues in their screener (e.g., poor audio or video quality, corrupted files) may be disqualified unless resolved promptly upon notification.
Content Restrictions:

Promotional, advertising, or purely commercial content will not be accepted. The festival seeks to showcase films that prioritize storytelling, creativity, and artistic merit.
Originality:

Submissions must be original works of the filmmaker(s). Plagiarism or failure to secure proper rights (music, visuals, etc.) for content included in the film will result in disqualification.
Premiere Status (Preferred but Not Mandatory):

While not a strict requirement, preference will be given to films making their Georgia or U.S. premieres. Films that have been widely distributed in theaters, television, or online may be considered for non-competitive categories.
Ethical and Inclusive Content:

Films that promote hate speech, violence, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation will not be accepted. GALIFF aims to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.
Compliance with Festival Standards:

All selected films must comply with the festival’s technical and content guidelines. Filmmakers are responsible for adhering to the specified deadlines and requirements for promotional materials and screening copies.

New Policies and Rules

Additional Rights Submitting Films Are Required to Assign to GALIFF:

Screening Rights:

Filmmakers grant GALIFF the right to publicly screen their film during the festival in theatrical settings or approved venues as part of the official program.
Promotional Use Rights:

Permission is granted for excerpts (up to 2 minutes) or stills from the film to be used in promotional materials for the festival, including social media, press releases, websites, and other marketing platforms.
Archival Use (Non-Public):

Films may be retained in the GALIFF archives for internal, educational, or non-commercial purposes.
Post-Festival Promotional Screenings:

With the filmmaker’s approval, selected films may be featured in post-festival GALIFF events or special community screenings to promote the festival's mission of fostering awareness of Latino and Hispanic cinema.
Festival Program and Educational Content:

Clips or images from the film may be included in GALIFF-curated panels, educational workshops, or retrospectives for non-commercial purposes.
Streaming for Limited Audiences (Optional):

For films selected for online showcases or hybrid events, GALIFF requires a limited-time streaming license, ensuring films are only accessible to registered festival attendees within a secure and geo-restricted platform.
Inclusion in Highlight Reels:

Permission is granted to include brief clips of the film in GALIFF's annual highlight reel to celebrate the festival’s programming and showcase its impact.
GALIFF respects the creative ownership of filmmakers and ensures all rights assigned are strictly for the promotion and execution of the festival’s mission to uplift Latino and Hispanic voices in film. All additional use will be communicated and agreed upon in advance with the filmmaker.

Code of Conduct

All participants, including attendees, filmmakers, staff, and volunteers, must adhere to the GALIFF Code of Conduct. Any disruptive, disrespectful, or inappropriate behavior will result in removal from the event without refund.

Submission Format and Accessibility

Films must be formatted for DCP playback to ensure compatibility with the screening venue.

All films must include closed captioning for accessibility.

Archival Policy

Filmmakers agree to provide GALIFF with an archival copy of their film for educational and promotional purposes.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Submissions must uphold the principles of diversity and inclusion. Any content promoting hate speech or discrimination will be disqualified.

Filmmaker Q&A Sessions

Selected filmmakers are required to participate in post-screening Q&A sessions as part of their attendance obligation.

Early Bird Deadlines

Submissions made before the early bird deadline will receive a discounted fee. Late submissions will incur an additional fee.

Refund Policy for Submission Fees

Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, including failure to meet technical requirements or attendance policies.

Social Media Promotion

Filmmakers must actively promote their selection and screening via social media platforms. GALIFF will provide promotional assets for this purpose.

Festival Voting

Audience Choice Awards will be determined by attendee voting via official GALIFF ballots distributed at screenings.

Shipping Standards

All materials must be shipped using trackable services such as FedEx or UPS. GALIFF will not be responsible for materials lost or delayed in transit.

Press Engagement

Filmmakers agree to participate in press interviews and provide media-friendly assets upon request.

Categories

Feature Film (Narrative Fiction): 40 minutes or longer

Artificial Intelligence Short Film: 1-39 minutes

Short Film: 1-39 minutes

Short Documentary: 1-29 minutes

Documentary: 30 minutes or longer

Music Video: 1-5 minutes

Best Web Series: 1-15 minutes

Fees and Refunds

Submission fees cannot be waived and are payable only via PayPal, CashApp, Venmo, or Zelle. Include any applicable processing fees. Submissions will not be returned.

Students must include a copy of current school identification with their submission.

Films with Georgia ties (e.g., shot in Georgia or involving Georgia residents) may qualify for a reduced entry fee. Verification is required.

Delivery Standards

GALIFF will make every reasonable attempt to deliver items promptly but is not responsible for delays caused by carriers such as USPS.

Return and Refund Policy

GALIFF has a strict no-return, no-exchange, and no-refund policy for delivered items, including tickets.